Phl officials face sanctions on relief goods

VILLAGE officials in the Philippines could face sanctions for repacking relief goods instead of distributing them directly to calamity-stricken families, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Thursday.

Tacloban City Administrator John Tecson Lim issued the warning in view of recurring complaints that some of the relief goods dispensed by the DSWD have not landed in the hands of intended beneficiaries.

Lim said the village officials were caught repacking the relief goods coming from international donors.

“WE want to assure our people that we will look into these complaints. In fact, we have gotten the ball rolling and we will be taking action against these village captains who have already been caught repacking these relief goods,” Lim said.

Republic Act 10121 or the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Act strictly prohibits the repacking of goods, equipment, or other aid commodities into containers with different markings to make it appear that they came from another agency or persons.

Lim said local officials caught violating this provision would be issued a show-cause order in accordance with the principles of due process as required by the law.

In line with this, the city government of Tacloban, through its City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) office, has made adjustments in the relief distribution system which is expected to be implemented two days from now.

Social Profiles

Livestream

The Proliferation of Drugs Syndicates at the National Bilibid Prison with Ronnie Palisoc Dayan Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs (November 23, 2016)(November 23, 2016)Sept. 19, 2016House Committee Hearing